P.b. Gardens Takes Down Wellington

January 19, 2005|Staff Reports

Franco Lovett stood at the free-throw line with no time left on the clock at the end of double overtime. He had three chances to win the game for Palm Beach Gardens after being fouled on a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

Lovett needed only one.

He made his first attempt to give the Gators a 74-73 upset over Wellington in a District 7-6A game at Palm Beach Gardens High on Tuesday.

"We had great team defense, forced turnovers on both ends of the court to force overtime," Palm Beach Gardens coach Tony Watson said. "This is the first time in two years we have been able to beat this team."

The Gators (7-9) sent the game into overtime when Hunter Ross tied the game at 60 on a basket with six seconds remaining. They sent the game into the second overtime when Wonsley Shelton made 1 of 2 free throws with 10 seconds left.

John Clayton led the Gators with 19 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Lovett and Ross each had 13 points. Eric Kerbo had 12 points and eight assists.

DWYER 92, ATLANTIC 58: Jamal Paul and Mike Wells each had 14 points to lead the Panthers (14-3) in a District 14-5A game at Atlantic High. Yahmad Botes had seven points and eight rebounds as a reserve.

"You never go in thinking you're going to win, but I think it was one of those games where they didn't play as good as they are capable of playing," Dwyer coach Fred Ross said.